
Tasty, satisfying & high in protein
Home-made soup is incredibly easy to prepare & so good for you. You can have a satisfying meal in one bowl which is nutritionally dense, low in calories & carbs, making it ideal for the health-conscious. Home-made soups are so much fresher, tastier & healthier with shop-bought varieties, which are usually loaded with sugar, salt, additives & preservatives. This recipe is suitable also for vegetarians & vegans & those on a gluten-free diet. A great all-rounder!
It is also super for using up those vegetables lurking in your vegetable drawer & there is minimal washing up as it is all one-pot cooking! I love making up a big vat of soup in the weekend so that I can take some to work for packed lunch and for busy days when I will be time poor in the evening, but still want something nutritious & tasty for dinner. (But not a takeaway!)
Soup is a terrific way of combining different flavours & textures together & persuading the little ones to eat more veg!
This kale, lentil & squash soup is fragrant, tasty & satisfying. It is spiced with ground cumin, paprika, chilli powder & cayenne pepper & lentils boost the protein & fibre content. Chunks of squash & black kale add texture & nutrients. It is also quick to prepare (about 30 mins) & freezes well.
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 mins
Cooking time: 30mins
Ingredients
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 2 medium red onions, diced finely
- 3 plump garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 celery stalks, diced finely
- 1 large leek, sliced finely
- 2 red chillies finely chopped or 2 tsp chilli powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
- Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 270g squash, peeled & cut into 1.5cm chunks (sweet potato & carrot can be used instead)
- 1 x 400g can of chopped tomatoes
- 1.5 litres or vegetable stock (I use bouillon powder)
- 200g red lentils
- 1 tbsp tamari
- salt & pepper
- 60g black kale, stems trimmed
- Optional: 2.5 tbsp protein powder (pea, soya bean or whey work well)
Garnish: optional: sprinkle of ground flaxseed
Method
- In a large non-stick pot melt the coconut oil. (If you want to reduce the calories further, you could always sauté using a little water). Add the chopped onions, crushed garlic, chopped celery, leek & red chillies. Brown for about 5 mins.
- Add the spices & bay leaf. Cook for about 2 mins (until the spices give of their fragrance) & then add the squash chunks (or sweet potato & carrot if you are using these).
- Add the chopped tomatoes, stock and lentils. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 25 mins until squash is tender.
- Add tamari.
- Season with salt & pepper.
- Add the kale and add the protein powder, if using. Cook for a further 3 mins. Serve.
- Optional: garnish with a sprinkle of ground flaxseed or freshly chopped coriander.

Garnish of ground flaxseed adds to the nutritional value
Don’t forget you can find my favourite recipes in my FREE eBook here.